There is a new Section 9 boys’ golf champion in town.

Newburgh Free Academy freshman Josh Yan has overtaken his older brother Mark, shooting a 79 on Thursday at McCann Memorial Golf Course in Poughkeepsie to finish with a two-day score of 150 to win his first Section 9 individual championship.

“I feel good,” Josh Yan said. “I’ve been training for this all winter, so it feels good going to the states. I feel confident and I just want to have fun at states.”

His older brother, Mark, a junior at Newburgh Free Academy, finished ninth to earn Section 9’s last spot on the state team, as they will both move on to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association championships on Sunday and Monday at the Mark Twain Golf Course in Elmira.

“I like that he won,” Mark Yan said. “If I were to lose to someone, I was happy it was Josh. I’m glad he won.”

Mark Yan won the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association championship the previous week with a 77, with Josh Yan finishing behind him with a 78.

This time, Josh Yan took the lead early and was sitting in the top spot after the tournament’s first day on May 23 at the Powelton Club, the Goldbacks’ home course, with a 71, three strokes ahead of Loyal Goodermote of New Paltz.

“It certainly helps us knowing that it’s our home course,” Josh Yan said. “It’s five minutes away, and we play it all the time, so it felt like an advantage for us.”

It didn’t feel like much of one for Mark, who shot a 78 to finish the first day of the tournament with a 78.

Neither brother did as well on the second day, as Josh Yan shot a 79 at McCann on Thursday but finished seven strokes ahead of Minisink Valley’s Chris Rickard. Mark Yan shot an 84 at McCann, falling four spots to ninth place.

“I’m not going to complain or make excuses as to why I shot what I shot,” Mark Yan said. “We move on to next week.”

They both finished in the Top 10 at the state meet last year. After Mark Yan swept the OCIAA and Section 9 championships last season, Josh Yan outdid his brother at the state meet with a two-day score of 143. Mark finished in a three-way tie for ninth place with a 148.

Both golfers in front of Josh Yan and six of the 10 in front of Mark Yan were all seniors.

They’ll likely head to Elmira Friday for a practice round on Saturday with the tournament scheduled to begin on Sunday.

The goal is the same for both brothers: to win.

However, only one can.

“We don’t worry about today and keep practicing,” Mark Yan said.

“I feel good,” Josh added. “Just go there, have fun and see how we do.”